Chapter Eighty-two: Devil or Not

  Where there is light, there is darkness. There is the Way, and there are demons. However, it's said that in the early days of the Cultivation Realm, there was no distinction between the demonic path and other cultivation methods. Although their energies were opposing, they all pursued ascension to the heavens. Therefore, their relationship was harmonious. This period was known as the Ancient Cultivation Era in the records of the Cultivation Realm. But nothing good lasts forever. The reason for the rift between the Way and demons was surprisingly the Alchemists. This is quite ironic.

  According to the historical records of the Cultivation Realm, in the distant ancient Cultivation Realm, cultivators would never use magical artifacts. At that time, various powerful spells were circulating in the world. For a highly accomplished cultivator, causing mountains to crumble and lands to shatter with just a flick of their finger was nothing out of the ordinary. However, the more powerful the spell, the more True Essence it consumed. As a result, nine out of ten cultivators who attempted to transcend would have their souls scattered and destroyed. At this time, the wise men of the Cultivation Realm began searching for ways to safely transcend. Thus, magical artifacts were gradually invented. The use of magical artifacts greatly reduced the consumption of True Essence during transcendence, also increasing the success rate. Furthermore, with the advantages brought by using magical artifacts in battles against others, the profession of artifact refiners emerged and gradually became equivalent to that of alchemists, who had always existed in the Cultivation Realm.

  Of course, if it were just like that, the demonic path would not have any conflicts of interest. Not to mention a split. However, unfortunately, the demonic path cultivates negative energy between the universe, making it difficult to cultivate spiritual fire to refine magical artifacts. Compared to cultivators who cultivate five-element attributes, anyone with fire can cultivate spiritual fire. The demonic path is not on the same level in this regard. Of course, at first, these demon cultivators looked at those successful orthodox cultivators with envy. But later, an incident occurred, leading to a reorganization of the entire force of the cultivation world, resulting in a formal opposition between the orthodox and demonic paths.

  It was said that a certain demon cultivator, in an extremely fortunate circumstance, picked up a fairly good-grade treasure. At the time, this demon cultivator made a move that left himself and his fellow cultivators bewildered. He didn't discard the treasure like other demon cultivators would have (it's said that before him, no matter what grade the treasure was, demon cultivators wouldn't pick it up). Instead, he inadvertently used his own demonic energy to refine the treasure. Under his unintentional effort, he succeeded. This method of his spread widely within the demon cultivation community. As a result, in order to ascend and obtain treasures, many demon cultivators couldn't resist the temptation and began to attack nearby true cultivators. Thus, the Tao and Demon paths officially became opposed.

  The main reason the Holy Alliance issued a soul-destroying warrant for Sun Ming was also because of this. The demonic path has abundant resources, and letting Sun Ming go would be equivalent to giving demon cultivators someone who could constantly refine treasures for them. Moreover, with Sun Ming's exceptional talent, if he were to refine a divine instrument in the future, it would mean that the demonic path would gain another demonic instrument as well (the vast majority of demonic treasures are polluted versions of orthodox treasures). The Old Demon was also like this. After all, at the time, there were two refining masters who were even more powerful than Sun Ming, and he directly killed them. Clearly, he valued this young man's potential.

  But Sun Ming didn't have this awareness. After all, in his view, in this demon-infested Yin Moon Magic Star, it's better to think about how to escape first.

  Sun Ming followed the Blood Sea Demon to a remote corner of the mountain range, stopping in front of a smooth rock wall. It was just like when he was on Zero Boundary Star. This rock wall should be an illusion created by an array. However, with Sun Ming's current cultivation level, he couldn't see through the composition principle of the array.

  The Blood Sea Demon didn't explain either. His hands started waving wildly in the air. Apparently, he was using some kind of technique. But Sun Ming was puzzled. As a master craftsman and array expert, Sun Ming had also received many years of teachings from his master, Cloud Middle Child. His attainments in arrays were not inferior to those of the famous Tian Tu Ge, the elder of the Array Sect. However, today he couldn't figure out what technique the Blood Sea Demon was using with his seemingly chaotic hand movements. What kind of principle was hidden behind this old demon's messy and disorderly hand movements that still followed a certain rule?

  "Don't look anymore. This is a completely different array from what you've come into contact with before. It's actually possible to set up an array like this using such obscure energy. It seems that the cultivator of demonic arts isn't inferior to you after all!" Yun Zhongzi said thoughtfully. The great dao has three thousand paths, and every path can become the dao. It seems that these words are not empty after all. Thinking about it, perhaps this trip to the Demonic Dao Cultivation Star Domain will allow us to learn from each other's strengths and weaknesses. The two families of the Orthodox Dao and the Demonic Dao have their own strengths." Sun Ming said suddenly after a moment of contemplation.

  "It's no wonder you're my disciple, Cloud. Whether one is a Cultivator or a Qi Practitioner, few can see this point. To learn from the strengths of various schools, this is the kind of breadth of vision that our generation of Cultivators should have. You've managed to think of this, and even if I were to die right now, I'd have no regrets." Cloud said with great comfort.

  "Master said with a smile. How could the disciple let Master's soul fly away?" Sun Ming smiled and said.

  "Alright, hurry up and go in. The sun is about to set. At night, the yin moon magic star is full of ghosts and monsters. Even I can't guarantee your safety." Blood Sea Demon was obviously teasing Sun Ming. After all, the Nine Calamity Scattered Demon was almost invincible under the Yin Moon Magic Star. To say that he couldn't guarantee it would be a joke.

  Although he knew it was a demonic cave, Sun Ming still steeled himself and walked towards the stone wall that was faintly glowing with a eerie light. After all, Blood Sea Old Devil had let him go this time. He couldn't escape anyway. It's better to wait quietly for a while before making any plans.

  The scene with Sun did not appear. Ming imagined a field of corpses, blood flowing everywhere. Walking through the stone wall, it was actually a rather beautiful outdoor peach garden. Although somewhat gloomy under the influence of demonic energy, it was much better than what Sun Ming had imagined. A long-forgotten fluctuation of true yuan power was felt. There seemed to be a hint of spiritual fire as well. Sun Ming asked the Blood Sea Old Demon beside him with a suspicious expression.

  "Could it be that besides me, there are other alchemists?"

  "Heh heh. With so many disciples I have, of course I'll find a Refining Master to help me refine the treasure. Otherwise, if I were to go there myself and fight for it, wouldn't that be exhausting?" The Blood Sea Demon replied nonchalantly.

  "Follow me. I'll introduce you." Sun Ming didn't say another word and followed the Blood Sea Demon Lord inside.

  Sun Ming was getting more and more shocked as he looked around. There were many demon cultivators coming to pay their respects to the Blood Sea Old Devil, and their cultivation levels were quite high, ranging from the Yuan Ying period to the Great Vehicle period. Sun Ming even saw a few scattered demons. In his heart, Sun Ming estimated that with so many powerful people, they could easily occupy an entire planet. Even if the cultivation conditions on the Dark Moon Demon Star were excellent, it shouldn't be possible for so many powerful cultivators to gather in one place and hide. There must be a problem here, and it was definitely a big one. Sun Ming's thoughts became more and more certain. What made Sun Ming even more surprised was that the demon cultivators who saw him didn't show any hostility. Their eyes only paused on his body for a moment, as if they were used to it.

  After following the Blood Sea Demon for a not-so-short distance, Sun Ming suddenly lit up. Of course, as long as one is an alchemist, it's unlikely that their eyes wouldn't light up at this moment. "Meteorite Iron, Frost Marrow Jade, Heavenly Essence Stone, Starlight Gold... what is this? Nine Heavens Floating Cloud Dew?" Sun Ming was like he had been struck by lightning, his whole body trembling as he pointed at the stone pavilion in front of him that was filled with precious materials. Excitedly, he asked the Blood Sea Demon beside him, not even noticing a nearby alchemist who was selecting materials.

  "Kid. Must you be so surprised? Isn't it just the Nine Heavens Cloud Veil?" A somewhat disdainful voice replied on behalf of Blood Sea Old Man.

  "Who is this?" Sun Ming was somewhat perplexed. After all, it's rare to meet a fellow practitioner on the Magic Dao Cultivation Star. Anyone would be puzzled.

  "Kid. You must have heard of his name, right? Lan Ying the Great Master is also a great master who has refined the Xian-class artifact, haven't you heard?" Blood Sea Old Dao chuckled.

  "Lan Ying Master? I'm sorry, I'm sorry. The young one has paid his respects." Sun Ming thought Lan Ying had just performed a junior's courtesy. Lan Ying was indeed aware of it. He was said to be one of the few Grandmaster-level figures in the Refining Alliance who excelled in refining equipment. In his youth, he had even collaborated with the current leader of the Refining Alliance, Lan Yun Zhen Ren, to create the legendary Refining Twin Wonders. He was a stunning and unparalleled figure. His greatest hobby in life was refining magical artifacts. He was a pure refiner. The Heavenly One Elder referred to him as the only true refiner in the Refining Alliance. Sun Ming had once admired this person greatly.

  "Blood Sea. I only want to refine this thing with all my heart. You should find an assistant for me. At least you should find a decent one for me. Can't you just grab some kid and try to fool me? What can this kid do? Cause trouble?" Master Lan Yue seemed unimpressed by Sun Ming's respectful greeting, instead loudly scolding Blood Sea Old Devil. Despite feeling indignant at being looked down upon, Sun Ming couldn't help but sweat for him. If Blood Sea Old Devil became enraged, the cultivation world would likely lose another great master-level artifact refiner.

  "Master, this kid will not disappoint you. He is the most outstanding disciple of Qiling Sect. Don't look at him being only in the Golden Elixir stage, but he has the level of a Seven-Star Refining Master." The Blood Sea Old Devil surprisingly did not get angry, instead he slowly and quietly explained to Lan Ying Dashi. Sun Ming looked on with confusion. Is this still a demon? Sun Ming asked himself.